WESTFIELD — It was a dominating effort all around as the Westfield Post 124 American Legion baseball team defeated the East Springfield Post 420, 6-1. The game was the teams’ first of the double-elimination third round of the Western Mass. district playoffs.

Westfield starting pitcher Matt Plasse pitched the complete game, striking out seven and allowing just one run on five hits. Plasse, a predominantly breaking ball pitcher, was able to keep East Side off-balance throughout the game.

“I was just trying to get them to put the ball in play, because I trust my teammates more than anything,” Plasse said. “My teammates were everything tonight; nothing about me, it's all them.”

After a first inning where Plasse allowed just one baserunner, Westfield got things started offensively.

“They got the bats going early and got me a good cushion,” Plasse said. That was great because I was nervous: (East Springfield) is a good team.”

Westfield’s offense got to East Springfield starter Kevin Hassett early, scoring two runs in the first inning.

“He's a real good pitcher,” Westfield coach Don Irzyk said. “But we didn’t let him establish a dominance by putting runs on the board in the first inning.”

Leadoff hitter Colin Dunn started off the bottom of the first with a bloop double to rightfield, and scored two batters later, when leftfielder Nate Barnes singled him in. Dunn went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a two-RBI double single in the fourth.

“I'm the guy you would ‘look up to,’ so to say, because I'm the the first hitter,” Dunn said. “Once I get a hit, it's easier for the rest of the lineup to keep rolling.”

Each time Dunn got a hit, No. 2 hitter Rob Sullivan (2-for-3, two runs, walk) also got a hit.

After the two-run first, Westfield scored four times in the fourth inning, an inning where they sent all nine members of their lineup to the plate.

“I was happy with the whole, overall effort,” Irzyk said.

Westfield will face the other winner in Bracket B, Pittsfield Post 68. That game is scheduled for Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at Pittsfield’s Clapp Park.

East Springfield was led by Kyle Kazeroid, who reached base twice and Pete Crinella, who scored their lone run. East Side will play the other losing team in Bracket B, Longmeadow, on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Forest Park. The loser of that game will be eliminated, while the winner will continue in the tournament.

“Our backs are against the wall, their backs are against the wall,” East Side catcher Andrew Noonan said. “Today, we didn't have our bats, so we have come out banging tomorrow, and we will. If we get the domino effect going, we'll be alright.”

Wednesday's results:

Bracket A

Greenfield 81 7, Ludlow 52 2. Greenfield moves on to face the winner of the yet-to-be-played Aldenville vs. Amherst/Springfield, while Ludlow will play the loser. Both games will be on Friday.

Bracket B

Pittsfield 68 3, Longmeadow 1. Pittsfield moves on to face Westfield, while Longmeadow faces an elimination game against East Springfield 420. Both games will be on Thursday.

Thursday's games:

Round 2

Amherst 148 6, Springfield 21 6 (Resumes in the top of the 4th). Central High School, 5:30 p.m.